Dear brothers and sisters, I am sure many of you will be delighted to see Fr Peter Sharrocks, now enjoying retirement, who will be present at the celebration of Mass this Sunday morning, just as I know those who attend Mass at Rowton will offer a very warm welcome to Fr Robert Dykes, parish priest at St Joseph’s, Upton.

The Gospel today recalls the familiar story of the disciples on the Road to Emmaus. The anonymous companion who walks with Cleopas opens a space for you and me to take our part in this journey. Indeed, in many classic artistic representations, e.g by Rembrandt, Caravaggio and others, his back is turned to the viewer to invite him or her to enter and take a place at the table. As they walk along the road, downcast and filled with grief, before recognising Christ who walks beside them, they exclaim “we had hoped…” As one of my former superiors once commented in a reflection on this passage, it’s a terrible thing to conjugate ‘hope' in the past tense! Christ goes before us, for he is our hope! In the midst of darkness and doubt, and even when our own lives are affected by sadness and pain, he comes to warm our hearts with his Word, which calls us to life, and even now he breaks the bread, which is his body given for us. Come let us worship! Let’s go inside and, as friends of Cleopas, make his words our own prayer “Stay with us, Lord Jesus!”: Walk with us, oh Lord, be at our side and help to perceive your presence and to look at the present and the future with joyful hope.

Happy Sunday and may God bless you all. Fr David +

There are still some new Tax Year weekly offertory envelopes to be collected. Please do take yours if you make your weekly offering to the parish in this way. Thank you!

Mary’s Meals - Thank you to everyone who has contributed by donating, purchasing a copy of the St Werburgh's Family Prayer book, or buying a Welcome Wednesday raffle ticket. A grand total of £566.91 was raised.

Church Cleaners – Please can you lend a hand to help keep the Church looking presentable and welcoming. If able to help, please email admin@stwerburghchester.co.uk

The Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality Focus Group 21st April, at 7:00 pm (open to all members, new and old) will meet at St Columba’s, Plas Newton Lane, CH2 1PL. Fr Sean Henry, Chaplain to the Hospitality, will join us. If you wish to attend, please email Clare Marchmont at secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk

Holy Family Appeal We welcome Sr Mary Lucy Mbamara who will speak about the work of her congregation at the end of each Mass on the 25/26^th April. The Holy Family Sisters of the Needy is a female religious institute founded in Nigeria, that dispenses God’s love among the needy in difficult situations especially in Africa and other developing countries, providing food, shelter, medical care, clothing and quality education.

CAFOD: Stand with Sudan. Give monthly. On the third anniversary of the war in Sudan, Kayode Akintola, CAFOD’s Head of Region for Africa, asks for your help: “So many of our sisters and brothers in Sudan are facing increasing violence, hunger, and disease. That is why today, I’m asking you to consider setting up a monthly gift to support families who are fleeing the violence – with food, safe water and other vital support. Monthly gifts are an act of steady love for our neighbours, a way of saying: we will not abandon you; we will stand with you until peace is restored.” Donate at https://cafod.org.uk/StandWithSudan

Welcome Wednesday were treated last week to an absorbing talk about Antarctica. Our thanks to John Petterson for sharing his extensive knowledge and love of Antarctica with us. More tea, coffee, chat and dominoes on Wednesday 22^nd April 10:30 am and as always - all are welcome.

ADoRE spiritual mini-retreat 25th April 10.00 am - 1.00 pm online. "SURRENDER TO LOVE.” The Holy Spirit transforms us by helping us surrender to God’s love. The retreat includes Mass, Adoration, Praise, Prayer for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and an inspiring talk from speaker Geoff Poulter, trainer in prophecy, healing and discipleship. Attend in person if possible, at St. Joseph’s, Christchurch, Dorset.

Details: https://www.altonrenewal.com/this_month

Encountering Jesus in the Gospels. The Jesuit Institute is running a short online formation course building the skills and confidence needed to hold and guide groups of those who wish to deepen their relationship with Jesus, in conversation with others, through reflectively praying with gospel texts. Time: Tuesday evenings 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Dates: April 21^st, 28^th, May 5^th, 12^th, 19^th, 26^th, June 9^th. For details: https://jesuitinstitute.org/events

First Sacraments Meeting and Class for families whose children are not at St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s School. Our meeting and class for children and their parents will take place on Tuesday 28th April at 6:30 pm at St Werburgh’s Church. The children will need their workbooks, folders and pencil cases. This is the last meeting before the children make their First Holy Communion, so it is important that all attend.

Caritas Boxes Spring Collection: If you are a Caritas box holder, please bring monies to 9:00 am or 10:45 am Mass on Sunday 3rd May in a strong bag or envelope clearly marked with your name. You can also set up a Standing Order or donate via the Caritas website www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk Standing Order and Gift Aid forms are available on the day or online. New contributors welcome. Please contact 07757518312.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated by the Bishop on 11th November next at St Columba’s church. It is possible for individuals from all parishes in Chester and will be led by St Columba and St Theresa’s Confirmation preparation team. Anyone currently at high school, or older is encouraged to prepare. Please email stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested.

Photo of the week: Thank you to Christian Matheson for sending in this photo of the Salt Cathedral in Colombia, a fully consecrated cathedral carved out of the rock and salt 200 metres below a mountain in Zipaquira. It is accessed via a descending ramped walkway alongside which are the Stations of the Cross, either carved out of the rock walls or carved in relief.